eli_like_a_lie's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
frickative's review
4.0
My introduction to graphic novels was through The Walking Dead series, and I'm really only just dipping my toe in the water when it comes to DC and Marvel titles. I love superheroes, I really do. I'll watch the films and I'll wear the T-shirts, but when it comes to comics, the universes are just so vast. The only other DC title I've read to this point has been Batwoman, and while I did love the characters at the heart of it, it assumed so much background knowledge of villains and past plots and the dense little world of Gotham, that in the end I gave up after three volumes. There was something about the premise of Gotham Central that called to me though - framing this universe through the eyes of the long suffering police department who repeatedly find themselves overshadowed by a masked vigilante, a human focus on the bizarre, a Law & Order: Gotham, if you will.
I was definitely not disappointed. I loved this book, a lot more than I expected to. The characters are well fleshed out and so human, with real struggles and feelings that really ground the story in the face of - let's face it - slightly silly villains like Mr Freeze. The artwork isn't especially beautiful, but I doubt it's supposed to be. It gives a gritty backdrop to a dark city, and doesn't distract or detract from the plots at hand. Some graphic novels you have to read a little slower, really take your time picking out details from each panel, but for me this wasn't one of them. There's a continual sense of these characters working against the clock, trying to solve cases before the Batman swoops in and takes over, that contributes to a fast pace that rarely relents. I got a lot more than I expected from this volume, and I'll definitely be picking up the second (not in the least because I really want to give Renee Montoya a giant hug).
[Review originally published on my blog at Line After Line]
I was definitely not disappointed. I loved this book, a lot more than I expected to. The characters are well fleshed out and so human, with real struggles and feelings that really ground the story in the face of - let's face it - slightly silly villains like Mr Freeze. The artwork isn't especially beautiful, but I doubt it's supposed to be. It gives a gritty backdrop to a dark city, and doesn't distract or detract from the plots at hand. Some graphic novels you have to read a little slower, really take your time picking out details from each panel, but for me this wasn't one of them. There's a continual sense of these characters working against the clock, trying to solve cases before the Batman swoops in and takes over, that contributes to a fast pace that rarely relents. I got a lot more than I expected from this volume, and I'll definitely be picking up the second (not in the least because I really want to give Renee Montoya a giant hug).
[Review originally published on my blog at Line After Line]
nightxade's review
4.0
Gary Oldman ordered Ben McKenzie to do his homework when he was cast as Jim Gordon in the upcoming Gotham tv series, so it’s only fair that I do my homework too. While Gotham is considered to be losely based on this graphic novel series, the show will take place at the beginning of Gordon’s career, with Bruce Wayne and many other villains as children—meaning, there will be no Batman. Gotham Central takes place after Jim’s retirement and focuses on the various cops in the precinct and how they handle crime fighting under the shadow of a man they can’t admit exists. Some of them aren’t particularly happy that he does exist, and I love the balance between their animosity and their realization that, considering the utter crazy of their opponents, at times Batman is a necessary evil. The story does not rely on Batman’s existence, though, and he appears only briefly. There are many other crimes that don’t necessarily involve mentally deranged costumed freaks. There is a level of crime procedural drama involved, and, while the particular cases might not be all that inspired, it’s the GCPD themselves that make this story really work.
caitlin_bookchats's review
3.0
I love the unique take this is on Gotham City and the dynamic of working as a cop in the city Batman calls home. I saw this on a list of comics that would translate really well to the screen and I have to agree. This would make an excellent police procedural with that occasional added twist. I so wish that would happen.
libraryleopard's review
4.0
oh huh i actually liked this despite my dislike of batman? felt gritty/realistic without being gratuitously violent. and i love renee montoya (warning for outing/homophobia though). not a huge fan of the art, though i guess it did fit the overall vibe.
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